Issue - meetings

An overview was given in regard to a programme of work that was being led by Welsh Government to develop a ‘prospectus’ for Corporate Joint Committees (CJCs) in order to consolidate the delivery of their existing functions and explore how this might be built upon.

It was explained that in order to take this work forward, Welsh Government had created a working group consisting of Officers from Local Authorities, CJCs, Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and Welsh Government; the intention was to create a prospectus which would not only clarify the minimum expectations of CJCs, but also set out a menu of options, for future decision-making responsibilities, that could be delegated to CJC organisations as a way of trying to improve efficiencies within the region. Officers stated that this work was very much still in the early stages of development; however, the aim was to seek approval of the prospectus, by Ministers, at some point in the summer.

Members were informed that the Monitoring Officer for the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee (SWWCJC) and the Director of Environment from Carmarthenshire County Council were the representatives for the region on the working group; they will both feedback any views brought forward from the meetings. It was added that if a prospectus was to be created, it would be brought to the SWWCJC in order for the Committee to formulate an official response.

Officers highlighted that a letter had been received from the Minister stating that in order to support the delivery of the ambitions of the forthcoming CJC prospectus, Welsh Government were going to be providing an additional sum of £200k in 2025/26, 2026/27 and 2027/28 in order for CJCs to fulfil some of these functions.

Members expressed the need to continue to lobby Welsh Government for suitable funding and resources in order to deliver meaningful outcomes and add value to the region. The Chairperson referenced the need to be more specific with Welsh Government going forward about what the SWWCJC needed in terms of additional powers and funding responsibilities; including why they would be required and what the SWWCJC was seeking to achieve.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.